Texas Rangers Blog

Instant Analysis: Derek Holland was at his best during the biggest game of his career

ARLINGTON — Derek Holland turned in 8.1 innings of two-hit ball and the Rangers’ third quality start of the postseason, leading the home club to a 4-0 World Series victory Sunday night.

Here are my five thoughts on the Rangers pulling even in their best-of-seven series, 2-2, with the St. Louis Cardinals.

1.) The Rangers couldn’t have asked for any more than they got from Holland. After the bullpen was dominated the night before, Holland made things easy on Ron Washington. Over eight innings of shutout ball was exactly what the bullpen needed. Clawing back from a 3-1 series deficit would’ve been highly unlikely. Holland made sure that wasn’t an obstacle the Rangers would have to face. “We’ve had a lot of big ones over the years,” Michael Young said. “Cliff (Lee) had a couple big ones last year, Colby (Lewis has) been great. This one’s obviously fresh in our minds. A 25-year-old kid coming out and having that performance was huge for us.”

2.) He’s not anywhere near 100 percent but he was good enough to put across the run that mattered most Sunday night. After assisting on the coin flip before the Cowboys game across the street, Hamilton delivered a one-run double in the first inning. Thanks to Holland, the Rangers didn’t need another run. Maybe Hamilton needs to go walk around Cowboys Stadium before the start of Game 5 on Monday.

3.) It really is the year of the Napoli. Mike Napoli, who was moved down to eighth in the lineup, provided all of the insurance on a three-run, 390-foot homer in the sixth. Fans at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington appreciated the homer because it scored three runs, but also loved the opportunity to yell the popular “NAP-OHH-LEE” chant. “To have that big cushion and that big home run, that was big time, especially if you look at that they had a little something going in the ninth. A four-run lead as opposed to a one-run lead makes that a little bit easier.”

4.) Admit it, you thought the Rangers were done. You already started comparing them to the Buffalo Bills, a team that got to the big stage but never won it all. OK, maybe you didn’t. But the Rangers continued their streak of not losing back-to-back games and more importantly, demonstrated that last year’s poor showing in the World Series would not be duplicated. This team truly does put games behind them, even if they are 16-7 blowouts, better than any team I’ve seen in recent memory. “We’re good at making adjustments and we’re good at turning the page,” Young said. “The biggest thing is making sure you don’t completely forget about what happened the night before because you got to learn from it. If you got to make an adjustment, you make it.

“As far as the result, we’re good about moving on to the next game. I’d say the same thing about a win. We’re really good about making sure we focus on the next game. It’s a big strength of our team.”

5.) It’s time for C.J. Wilson to do what Holland and Colby Lewis have this series — deliver a quality start. Wilson has the stuff to complete the task and he certainly has the defense behind him. If Wilson can go six-strong, a rested bullpen could put the Rangers in great position to take the series lead, something they have yet to do in teh World Series. “He prepares as well as any pitcher that I’ve ever seen,” David Murphy said of Wilson. “He competes as well as any pitcher I’ve ever seen and he’s a perfectionist out there. He wants every single pitch he throws the entire night to be perfect. He’s going to go out there and compete (Monday) night and have his stuff and he’s going to do a great job.”